Ender 3 Upgrades 3D Printer: The Top Mods and Accessories For Better Quality Prints

The Creality Ender 3 is one of the most popular budget 3D printers on the market, offering an easy entry into 3D printing with its low price and reliable performance. However, like any 3D printer, the Ender 3 can benefit from some upgrades and modifications to take its printing abilities to the next level.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top Ender 3 upgrades and mods to improve print quality, ease of use, speed, and reliability. We’ll also look at handy accessories to make your life easier when 3D printing with the Ender 3.

These upgrades range from simple “must-have” mods to more advanced options for when you’re ready to push what your Ender 3 can do.

Basic Upgrades for Better Print Quality

When you first get your Ender 3, it can produce decent quality prints right out of the box. However, there are a few simple upgrades that most owners recommend to take its printing abilities up a notch. These “must-have” upgrades help improve factors like print adhesion, accuracy, speed, and overall print quality.

1. All-Metal Hotend

One of the most popular first upgrades for Ender 3 users is replacing the stock hotend with an all-metal hotend. The Ender 3 comes with a PTFE-lined hotend, which can limit you to printing with lower-temperature materials like PLA. With an all-metal hotend, you can print at the higher temps needed for materials like ABS or nylon.

All-metal hotends also help reduce the risk of clogs and jams. The Micro Swiss and Gulfcoast Robotics all-metal hotends are two great options that are drop-in replacements for the stock hotend. Just make sure to recalibrate after installing a new hotend.

2. Print Bed Surface

The print bed surface that comes with the Ender 3 works okay, but it can lead to adhesion issues on larger prints where the plastic warps or releases from the bed. Upgrading to a new surface like a PEI spring steel sheet or glass bed can help prints stick better throughout a print. PEI sheets offer great adhesion when hot and pop prints off easily when cool. Glass beds provide a perfectly flat surface. Just get one made for your Ender 3’s dimensions.

For either upgrade, you’ll need print bed clips to attach the new surface. Upgrading the bed can also help you achieve better first layer squish and consistency across the whole print area.

3. All Metal Extruder

The plastic extruder arm on the Ender 3 is prone to cracking and stripping filament after heavy use. Replacing it with an all metal extruder removes this weak point and can help feed filament more smoothly. The metal parts also won’t wear down as quickly as the plastic extruder.

Drop-in metal extruders like the Creality branded one are easy to install. Just be mindful of inserting the filament path correctly. Make sure to calibrate e-steps after installing a new extruder.

4. Better Quality Filament

The filament that comes with Creality printers is just average quality PLA. Switching to a higher quality filament from a reputable brand can instantly boost your print quality. Look for filaments that specifically mention dimensional accuracy and tight diameter tolerances. Good options are Hatchbox, eSUN, Duramic, Prusament, and Matterhackers Pro PLA.

Higher quality filament is less likely to jam and clog due to inconsistencies. It will produce smoother prints with less stringing. Just be sure to dial in the best temperature, retraction, and other settings for whichever filament you choose.

Mods for Improved Accuracy and Reliability

The Ender 3 can produce accurate prints for the price, but there are a few weak points in its design that can negatively impact precision. These upgrades help improve consistency and eliminate sources of potential error.

5. Better Quality Power Supply

The power supply that comes stock on the Ender 3 works but is prone to instability. An upgraded power supply like those made by Mean Well will provide consistent, clean power. This can help prevent weird electrical issues and fluctuations that lead to inaccurate prints. A more efficient power supply can also better handle higher wattage upgrades you add down the road like all-metal hotends.

6. Stiffer Bed Springs

The looser yellow bed springs on the stock Ender 3 make it harder to keep the bed level, requiring more frequent adjustment. Upgrading to stiffer yellow springs or silicone spacers helps the bed stay trammed longer. Combine this upgrade with a BLTouch probe for best results. Not having to re-level the bed as often means more consistent first layers.

7. Flags Mod

Adding small “flags” at the axis belt connection points can help improve carriage movement precision. The flags brace and support the joints better as the X and Y axes move back and forth. This keeps motion tighter and more accurate through a print. It’s a quick printable upgrade that makes a noticeable difference in print precision.

8. Solid Bed Mounts

The stock bed mounts that attach the heated bed to the frame have a little flex and play to them. Solid metal mounts help reduce vibration and instability in the heated bed. This further improves first layer consistency and adhesion across the whole print area. Many options like the TH3D mounts are inexpensive drop-in upgrades. Just be sure your wiring allows the new mounts to fit.

Must-Have Upgrades for Better Speed and Efficiency

While the Ender 3 can print at decent speeds out of the box, a few targeted upgrades let you print faster while maintaining or even improving quality.

9. Faster Mainboard

The mainboard is essentially the Ender 3’s brain controlling its electronics. The stock 8-bit board works fine for basic use but can limit print speeds, as it has to process a lot of data on the fly. Upgrading to a 32-bit board like the SKR Mini E3 turbocharges processing power. This allows printing at higher speeds while maintaining quality. It also enables more accurate stepper motor control.

32-bit boards require some firmware configuration but are otherwise plug-and-play upgrades for the Ender 3. Just transfer over your stepper connections carefully.

10. Better Cooling Fans

Effective print cooling is key for achieving the best bridging and overhangs when printing fast. The stock 4010 fans on the Ender 3 are pretty weak. Upgrading to a 5015 blower fan for parts cooling makes a big difference. More powerful hotend fans like the Orion also help sustain faster speeds. printable ducts like the Hero Me Gen 5 help focus the airflow.

With upgraded cooling, you can increase speeds, improve bridges and overhangs, and even enable faster layer print times. Just adjust cooling settings accordingly.

11. Direct Drive Extruder

The stock Ender 3 uses a Bowden setup with the extruder feeder separated from the hotend. This allows fast filament movement but can make highly detailed prints more difficult. Switching to a direct drive extruder places the feeder right on the hotend carriage for better control, especially when printing flexibles.

Popular options like the Micro Swiss direct drive are easy to install conversions. Direct drive improves detailed prints but may require slightly lower speeds for best accuracy.

12. Dual Z Rods

The Ender 3 Pro comes with this upgrade, but standard Ender 3 models have just a single Z rod. Adding a second Z rod and stepper motor evens out the axis, reducing layer shifts and binding. This lets you print taller objects faster without quality loss. The dual Z mod requires adding a second Z motor and longer lead screws.

13: Linear Rails

For the ultimate in smooth, precise Z axis motion, switch the vertical supports to linear rails. These provide even less friction and binding than the stock wheels. Linear rails allow blazing fast print speeds with no vibration artifacts. They are one of the more expensive Ender 3 upgrades but enable great quality at high speeds.

Handy Accessories For Easier Printing

Beyond core printer upgrades, there are also some great accessories to make your life easier when using the Ender 3. These handy tools and add-ons help streamline printing and save you time and effort.

14. Bed Leveling Probe

Manually leveling the print bed can be tedious and imprecise. A BLTouch or other strain gauge probe automatically measures bed level before each print, compensating for any inaccuracies. Probes help achieve perfect first layers with no fuss. Just be sure to check for probe interference before installing one.

15. Raspberry Pi Camera

A camera like the Raspberry Pi connected to Octoprint lets you remotely monitor prints from anywhere. You can check print status, receive alerts, and even watch real-time webcam video of your Ender 3 as it prints. Octoprint also adds other handy controls and features.

16. Enclosure

An enclosure like the Creality branded options helps regulate temperature. This allows printing with materials like ABS that benefit from consistent ambient temps. Enclosures also contain fumes and particles from certain materials. Just be mindful of component heat buildup when printing in an enclosure.

17. Filament Runout Sensor

Running out of filament mid-print is never fun, as it can ruin the part. A filament sensor pauses printing automatically when filament runs out, allowing you to load a new spool. Just be sure your firmware or mainboard supports filament runout detection.

18. LED Lighting Kit

LED strip lighting makes it easier to monitor and check in on nighttime prints. Strip lighting kits are inexpensive and easy to install inside the frame. Just take care not to interfere with any wiring or moving parts.

Advanced Mods to Take Your Ender 3 to the Next Level

Once you have some experience printing and modifying your Ender 3, there are some advanced upgrades that can take your printer to another level. These pricier, more complex mods require more involved installation but enable truly pro-level printing.

19. Frame Reinforcement

While rigid for its class, the Ender 3’s frame can benefit from some strategic reinforcement. Brackets and rods help reduce frame movement, vibration, and “ringing” artifacts in prints. Popular options are the EZStruder system, aluminum extrusion supports, and printed APM and Z-brace mods. Take time tuning acceleration and jerk after major frame mods.

20. CoreXY Conversion

For the ultimate in print speeds, precision, and rigidity, consider converting your Ender 3 to a CoreXY system. This uses a cube frame and special belt drive system for incredibly light and accurate printhead movement. It’s a complex mod but enables incredible performance. Other kinematics like Switchwire are easier conversions to try first.

21. Install Silent Motherboard and Stepper Drivers

The Ender 3 electronics can generate noticeable noise, especially at higher print speeds. Upgrading to silent motherboards like the BigTreeTech SKR with TMC silent stepper drivers cuts down on annoying noise. Just check your wiring and adjust current limits to match your particular setup.

Maximize Reliability With Preventative Maintenance

To keep your Ender 3 upgrades and mods operating smoothly:

• Periodically inspect belts for damage and re-tension them. Bad belts cause layer shifting and other artifacts.
• Check eccentric nuts and pulley grub screws routinely to ensure smooth, wobble-free motion.
• Verify your hotend nozzle is clean and clear of debris. Replace it occasionally for better prints.
• Clean the printer frame, rails, wheels and bed surface to prevent grime buildup.
• Level the bed before long prints and verify first layer squish quality.
• Check wiring for any loose plugs or damage from moving parts.

With proper care and maintenance, your upgraded Ender 3 will produce amazing prints for years to come. Let us know which mods you found most helpful for your needs!